Automatic circuit-breaker.



J. P. ARNDT.

AUTOMATIC 0|RCU|T BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, i914.

Patented Dec.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN PHILIP ARNDT, OF NEENAH, WISCONSIN.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

Application led June 4, 19M.

To all lwhom t may concern Be it known that I, JOHN PHILIP ARNDT, citizen of the United States, residing at Neenah, in the county of Winnebago and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auto` matic Circuit-Breakers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an automatic circuit breaker, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which embodies novel features of construction whereby it can be substituted for the ordinary Edison fuse plug which is Worthless and must be replaced when blown, and which can be used in connection with the ordinary Edison base.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic circuit breaker which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which can be readily placed in position oi removed therefrom, Which has a very compact arrangement of parts, and which is positive and reliable in its operation.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the inven tion, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:-

Figure l is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through a circuit breaker constructed in accordance with the invention, the spring plunger being shown as forced inwardly into operative position. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the spring plunger shown as forced outwardly into inoperative position. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the circuit breaker, showing substantially the actual size thereof.

Corresponding and like parts arereferred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters.

Specifically describing the present embodiment of the invention, the numeral l designates the base of lthe circuit breaker Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

serial No. 843,010.

which may be formed of any suitable insulating material. .The end of the base is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a threaded sleeve 2 fitted thereon, said sleeve forming one of the contact members and being adapted to be screwed into an Edison` base in theusual manner. The opv posite end of the body l is formed with an outwardly projecting annular flange 3 and a longitudinally disposed sleeve 4. Both the flange 3 and sleeve 4 may be formed in-V tegral with the base or body 1, and the said members are preferably formed of molded insulating material.

Extending longitudinally through the base l is an axially disposed tubular opening 5, the outer end of the opening being enlarged at 5a to receive a contact plug 6 which is threaded or otherwise removably fitted within the same. This plug 6 forms the other contact member which cooperates with the sleeve 2 to make a proper connection with the terminals of the Circuit through the usual contacts of the Edison base. A contact spring 7 is shown as clamped in position by the plug G, the said contact spring being adapted to engage the inner end of a spring plunger 8 when the latter is pushed inwardly into operative positi0n,as indicated by Fig. l.

Surrounding the insulating sleeve 4 is an inner annular core plate 9, and surrounding the inner core plate 9 and spaced therefrom is an outer annular core plate 10, the lower edge of the outer core plate 10 being formed with an inwardly projecting annular fiange ll which engages the core plate 9. Both of the annular core plates 9 and l0 may be in the form of split sleeves so as to prevent eddy currents when the circuit breaker is used in connection with an alternating current. As indicated upon the drawing, the inner end of the inner annular core plate 9 may be extended downwardly and received within a suitable annular recess l2 formed in the base l. Surrounding the inner core plate 9 and arranged in the Space between the annular core plates 9 and 10 is a solenoid 13, one terminal of the solenoid being suitably connected as by means of the wire 14 to the contact sleeve 2 of the base, while the opposite terminal of the solenoid is suitably connected as by means of the wire 15 spring plunger 8 to the inner Contact spring 7 and the -contact plug 6 of the base.

An armature 18 is located at the end of the solenoid 13 so as to be drawn toward the solenoid when the latter is sufficiently energized by the current'passing through the same to overcome the action of the spring 19. This armature 18 may be in the form of a ring so as to surround the end of the insulating sleeve 4, one side of the ring being pivotally connected at 20 to a suitable support such as the bracket 21 projecting from the cap plate 16, while the opposite side thereof is engaged by the spring 19 which normally tends to swing the armature away from the solenoid and resist the action thereof. suitable casing 22 is slipped over the solenoid and cap plate so as to inclose the parts of the circuit breaker and protect the same from injury, and a nut 23 is provided for adjusting the tension of the spring 19. This nut isthreaded upon a stem 24 which passes through the end of the casiii'g 22 and is connected to the spring 19, a suitable bushing 25 ofv insulating material being applied to theopening of the casing through which the threaded stem passes.

The swinging end of the armature 18 is connected by a link 26 to one arm of a bell crank releasing lever 27, said lever being pivotally mounted upon the cap 16 at 28 and the opposite arm thereof being provided with a suitable detent 29 which is adapted to engage an annular shoulder or flange 30 at the outer end of the spring plunger 8. A spring 31 normally holds the detent 29 in operative position, although the nose of the detent is adapted to swing inwardly and to finally spring out over the shoulder 30 of the plunger when the plunger is pushed inwardly into operative position. The detent may be of any Suitable construction, although in the present instance it is shown as comprising two arms, one of which terminates in the beveled vnose for engagement with the shoulder 30 of the plunger, while the opposite arm is normally held in engagement with the pin of the pivotal connection 28 by means of a spring 31.

The outer end of the spring plunger 8 is formed with a head 32 of insulating material which is received within a central openaisance ing 33 of the casing 22 when the spring plunger is pushed inwardly into operative position. The plunger 8 has a tubular formation and is provided at an intermediate point in its length with a piston member 34 which operates within the sleeve 4, a coil spring 35 being interposed between the said piston and the base 1. This coil spring normally tends to force the plunger 8 outwardly into inoperative position, as indicated by Fig. 2, and is maintained under compression when the plunger 8 is pushed inwardly into operative position, as indicated by Fig. 1, and held in such position by engagement of the detent 29 with the shoulder 30. The inner end of th-e plunger 8 then engages the contact spring 7 so that, as previously described, the circuit is closed. However, when the magnitude of the current becomes so great that it is necessary to shut it od, the energy of the'solenoid draws the armature 18 toward the same and overcomes the action of the spring 19. This disengages the det-ent 29 from the shoulder30 of the plunger 8 and releases the latter so that it is forced outwardly by the action of the spring 35. The inner end of the plunger 8 is then withdrawn from the contact spring 7 so as to break the circuit. Tt will be observed that the tubular plunger 8 is provided immediately above the piston 34 with a series of lateral openings 36, and as the piston 34 is forced outwardly the air confined between the said piston and the cap 16 will enter the tubular plunger through the said openings 36 and be forced through the open inner end thereof. This jet or current of air from the end of the tubular plunger will tend to blow out the arc caused by the separation of the contacts as the circuit is interrupted.

When it is desired to again close the circuit, the operator lmerely pushes inwardly upon the head 32 of the plunger until the latter has been forced into operative position and the shoulder 30 at the` outer end thereof brought into engagement with the detent 29. The inner end of the plunger 8 is then in electrical contact with the spring 7, and in order to facilitate engagement of the plunger with the said spring, the inner end of the said plunger is preferably beveled, as indicated at 8a. Fig. 4 shows substantially the actual size of the device and it will be observed that it is very compact in construction and canvaccordingly be sub stituted for the regular Edison fuse plug', thereby avoiding the delay and expense incident to providing a new fuse plug each time the circuit is interrupted by the action of the circuit breaker.

As indicated by Fig. 3, the outer casing 22 when formed of metal should be provided in one side thereof with a longitudinal slit 22, corresponding to the longitudinal slit 10 in the outer core plate 10 and the longitudinal slit 9a in the inner annular core plate 9. These slits or breaks in the metallic members prevent eddy currents from interfering with the proper operation of the device when it is used in connection with alternating currents.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is :h

l. An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed with a sleeve. a contact element on the base, a spring actuated plunger adapted to engage the contact element to close the circuit, a solenoid surrounding the sleeve. an armature for the solenoid, a spring resisting actuation ot' thx armature by the solenoid. a cap member mounted upon the sleeve, detent means upon the lap member for holding the spring actuated plunger in operative position. and an operative connection between the detent means and the armature.

An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed Iwith a sleeve. spaced outer and inner core plates surrounding the sleeve. a solenoid arranged in the space between the core plates, a Contact element upon the base, a spring actuated plunger adapted to engage the Contact member to close the circuit. an armature for the solenoid, a spring resisting actuation of the armature by the solenoid, detent means for holding the spring actuated plunger in an operative position, and an operative connection between the detent means and the armature.

3. An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed with a sleeve, a pair ot spaced annular core plates surrounding the sleeve, a solenoid arranged in the space between the core plates, a cap member upon the sleeve, /a spring actuated plunger slidably mounted upon the base and cap member and adapted to engage the contact element to close the circuit, detent means upon the cap member for holding the spring actuated plunger in an operative position, anv armature for the solenoid, a spring resisting actuation of the armature by the solenoid. and an operative connection between the armature and the detent means.

4. An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed with a longitudinal opening and a longitudinally projecting sleeve, a core plate surrounding the sleeve, a solenoid applied to the core plate and surrounding the sleeve, a cap member fitted upon the end of the sleeve, la spring actuated plunger slidable through the cap plate and longitudinal opening of the base, a contact element upon the base adapted to be engaged by the spring actuated plunger to close the circuit, detent means upon the cap member for holding the spring actuated plunger in operative position, an armature for the solenoid carried by the cap member, a spring resisting actuation of the armature by the solenoid, and an operative connection between the armature and the detent means.

5. An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed with a longitudinal opening and a longitudinally disposed sleeve projecting therefrom. an annular core plate titted upon the sleeve, a solenoid applied to the core plate and surrounding the sleeve, av cap member applied to the end of the sleeve, a spring actuated plunger slidable through the cap member and longitudinal opening of the base, a detent element mounted upon the base and adapted to be engaged b v the spring actuated plunger to close the circuit. a releasing lever pivotally mounted upon the cap member. a detent on the releasing lever for holding the spring actuated plunger in operative position. an armature pivotally mounted upon the cap member. a spring resisting actuation ot theiarmature by the solenoid, and an operative connection between the armature and the releasing lever.

6. An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed with a longitudinal opening and a longitudinallyY projecting sleeve, an annular core plate fitted upon the sleeve, a solenoid applied to the annular core plate and surrounding the sleeve. a cap member on the end ot the sleeve. a spring actuated tubular plunger slidable through the cap member and longitudinall opening of the base, a contact element on the base for engagement with the end of the tubular plunger. detent means on the cap member for holding the plunger in operative position. an armature for tbe solenoid. an operative connection between the armature and detent means. and a piston member carried by the plunger and operable within the sleeve for producing a current of air through the tubular plunger when the latter is actuated, said current of air tending to blow out the arc produced by the separation of the end of the plunger and the contact element.

7. An automatic circuit breaker including a base formed with a longitudinal opening and a longitudinally disposed sleeve projecting therefrom, a pair of spaced annular core plates fitted upon the sleeve, a solenoid arranged in the space between the core plates. a cap member applied to the end of the sleeve. a spring actuated tubular plunger slidable through the cap plate and longitudinal opening of the base, a detent element on the base adapted to be engaged by the end of the tubular plunger to close the circuit, a releasing lever pivotally mounted upon the cap member, a detent upon the releasing lever for holding the spring actuated plunger in operative position, an armature pivoted 4; i ,infime upon the Cap member. a spring resisting acto blow out the ar(I caused by the separation tuation of the armaturel bv the solenoid. an of the tubular )lunfrer and Contact element. 1

operative connection between the armature ln testimon)7 whereofl I afix my signature and the releasing' lever. and a piston member in presence of two witnesses.

earried by the springr actuated plunger and JUHN PlllllLlP RND'l. operable within the sleeve to produee a eurlllitnesses:

rent of air through the plunger when the lat- J. J. FISH,

ter actuated. said Current of air tending C. M. FISH. 

